“I Screamed in Bed”: Bodybuilder Flex Wheeler Who Lost His Leg Recalls His Nerve-Wrecking Pain

Bodybuilding legend, Flex Wheeler, had to amputate his right leg in 2019, as that was the only option to save his life. In a recent interview with Muscle and Health Magazines, Wheeler talked about the unbearable pain he had to go through during that phase. Although Wheeler has been a victim of his health conditions almost throughout his career, this blow hit him the hardest.

Kidney dysfunction was nothing new to The Sultan of Symmetry. However, such a massive impact shook the bodybuilder to his core. In this article, let’s have a look at Wheeler’s painful condition in his words after his leg amputation.

Flex Wheeler describes the painful anecdote of his life

With such a situation looming on his head, The Sultan of Symmetry was left with no choice. After suffering from kidney disease for decades, Flex Wheeler eventually had to lose his leg as a result. The doctors exclaimed the leg had to be taken off, otherwise, he would die. It was possibly the toughest decision Flex ever had to make. Eventually, the leg was amputated, but the pain he had to endure was unthinkable. In the interview with Muscle and Health, Wheeler said, “I can’t tell you how many days I screamed in bed.”

With all the emotions rushing back, Wheeler recalled the moments of constant pain. Even though he was administered every possible pain-relieving drug but even that couldn’t mask his extreme pain. While describing his situation, Wheeler said, “Every nerve in my body that runs down through my leg had literally been cut off through amputation.” 

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He continued, “At one time, I was on so many opiates, I was on an epidural. I had a Demerol drip, plus four other drugs they were giving me orally, and I was still screaming. They actually took me from my hospital bed and put me in a mental institution, because I just lost it. All those drugs have side effects and can even cause death. You have the darkest thoughts imaginable when you’re in that type of pain.” 

Furthermore, let’s have a glance at the history of Wheeler’s kidney complications that eventually led him to leg amputation.

Bodybuilding veteran’s history with the kidney diseases

The Sultan of Symmetry struggled with kidney disease since his teens. However, he was diagnosed with a condition called FSGS (Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis) in 1999. This condition inhibits the capability of the kidney to remove waste. Following this, he continued to compete till his kidney failed and has to be transplanted in 2003.

But even the transplanted kidney had its time. After successfully serving as the Arnold Classic champion for 16 years, the kidney once again began dysfunctioning. The inability of the kidney to filter the blood eventually led to blocks in the veins and arteries supplying blood to the legs. Henceforth, the condition led to the amputation of his leg.

Flex Wheeler has dealt with many health challenges in his life. However, he successfully fought them all and is cherishing his life with positivity. What do you have to say about his courage and tolerance? Let us know in the comments section.

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